This is a Natural England policy document that SEM CEO, Dr Maxwell A. Ayamba BEM has contributed to.
The reports purpose is ‘to present evidence-led guidance to address the key challenges around the lack of inclusion in contemporary nature imagery.’ (text from the Reports Forward)
Here is a link to the completed report (this link opens a new window to shared cloud storage where the document is stored and you can download it.)
As part of activities to mark the celebrations of Black History Month 2025, SEM organised a residential weekend for 20 women from the Sheffield & District African Caribbean Community (SADACCA), to Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland National Park.
Women from SADACCA tour the Roman Vindolanda site.
SEM’s CEO, Dr Maxwell Ayamba BEM explained that the visit to Hadrian’s Wall including the Roman Vindolanda and Museum was of historical importance to the women due to the history of the Black presence in the landscape.
He noted that celebrations of Black History Month should take into account the historical presence of people of African ancestry in Britain and their contributions. Dr Ayamba pointed out that in recent times, there has been a drive to decolonise museums in order to position them as spaces of belonging of shared heritage, and that is because museums house archeological artefacts and histories of past civilisations.
Women from SADACCA at the Severan Fort, Roman Vindolanda.
It was therefore against this backdrop that such a visit to Hadrian’s Wall which was strengthened by Britain’s African Roman Emperor, Severus Septimius and the African legionnaires stationed at the Roman Vindolanda is considered important in the lives of the women to experience this extraordinary history.
He noted that although some of the women might have heard about Hadrian’s Wall, but have not had the opportunity to visit. For example, filming of the BBC series ‘Black and British: A Forgotten History’ in 2016, a consultant to the series pointed to the BBC team archeological evidence of African soldiers stationed at the fort of Aballava on Hadrian’s Wall.
Women from SADACCA on a walk along Hadrian’s Wall starting near Walltown.
Thanks to the Northumberland National Park, its Volunteer Rangers took the women on a guided historical walk to Hadrian’s Wall built in AD122 and a ride on bus AD122 around the villages.
Women from SADACCA visit the Roman Vindolanda Museum.
On the Sunday, the group visited the Roman Vindolanda to see the ruins of the Roman settlement where the African legionnaires were also stationed, later visiting the Vindolanda Museum. The women saw the plaque of Britain’s African Roman Emperor, Severus Septimius on grounds of the ruins. This shared cultural heritage of the English landscape and people of Africa heritage was the more reason why this trip was organised by SEM to enable the women as part of activities to commemorate Black History Month to experience this forgotten history as some of them are part of the Windrush Generation aged over 60 -90 years and have lived in England for decades but with little knowledge or visited Hadrian’s Wall or the Vindolanda Museum and Roman Ruins to learn about its history.
Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM) and Access the Dales on Friday September 19th 2025 organised a joint initiative for the 20 women from the Sheffield & District African Caribbean Community to offer a life-time railway experience from Skipton to Ribblehead in the Yorkshire Dales aimed at discovering Wild Ingleborough:
As Debbie North of Access The Dales puts it “It is a Railway Journey to Nature”.
The Women on their way to Ribblehead Viaduct.
A statement that Dr Maxwell Ayamba BEM, CEO, Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM) concurs, arguing “That is because there are several opportunities to explore nature in different ways and we need to be innovative in connecting people to nature, however the challenge is funding as these types of activities require cost to take people out to explore and discover nature beyond their home environments”.
This unique train journey day trip thus enabled the women to experience the scenic Settle to Carlisle Railway from Skipton to Ribblehead, culminating in a visit to the Wild Ingleborough promoting access to nature with a focus on inclusivity, mental wellbeing, and environmental connection. The journey provided participants with a memorable and enriching experience in the Yorkshire Dales, but in addition it helped to promote wellbeing through time in nature and community connection.
SADACCA Women at Ribblehead Railway Station.
As Debbie explained, the trip further showcased accessible routes and inclusive outdoor activities especially for people from minoritised communities. She noted it was also to inspire confidence in using public transport to access rural nature, encourage positive mental health through time outdoors, but in addition build community and shared experiences between groups.
The women were shown an exhibition of Ribblehead Station and followed by a short history of Ribblehead Station and the construction of Ribblehead Via Duct in 1875 and taken on a short, guided walk to Ribblehead Viaduct led by Jonathan, a volunteer from Access The Dales.
This enriching educational visit was organised in by the Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM) in partnership with Jamia Masjid Ghausia. There were 38 students, 6 staff members and 2 education team members. Out of this number, only one staff member has ever visited YSP and none of the pupils have visited.
The students were given guided tour by two members of the YSP Learning Team, where they explored remarkable sculptures created by world-renowned artists. Highlights included William Kentridge’s large-scale, vibrant works, showcasing his move into three-dimensional art forms and the celebrated sculptor Barbara Hepworth, whose iconic piece “The Family of Man” a central feature at the park.
During the guided tour, the students participated in an engaging hands-on creative workshop, where they worked in small groups to sketch and construct their own sculptures. Surrounded by the natural setting, they drew inspiration from the colours, textures, objects found in the environment. The activity not only sparked their imagination and encouraged teamwork but also nurtured their appreciation for sustainability, creativity and the role of the environment in artistic expression. Immersed in this inspiring atmosphere, the students were able to explore their artistic flair while developing a greater awareness of the many benefits the natural world brings to both creativity and well-being.
Mahmood Hussain, Chair of SEM and one of the elders at Firth Park Mosque said, “JMG would like to thank SEM, the parents of our students and the Madrassa staff for their support in making this visit a success”.
The visit was made possible following a meeting SEM held with Kevin Rodd, Interim Director at the YSP last month, to explore ways of partnership working with a view to widening access to groups from minoritised communities with no access to YSP.
Kevin was of view that YSP is surrounded by cities with high populations of people from minoritised communities but with no connection to YSP. Adding “ Our visitors are all but white yet, we have been Winners of Yorkshire Tourist Attraction of the Year Award 2023 and Yorkshire Culture Award 2023”.
At the meeting, SEM CEO, Dr Maxwell Ayamba BEM, stressed the importance of the arts as a knowledge-base but said it remains an area of deficit to underprivileged groups who lack the economic opportunity to visit icon tourist attractions. Dr Ayamba noted that pupils from underprivileged schools haven’t the means to experience experiential outdoor learning, because schools are unable to provide such learning opportunities.
He explained that there were lots of minoritised young people interested in pursuing a career in the arts but lacked the foundation that would serve as pathway to a career in the arts. Dr Ayamba said funding remains an obstacle for minoritised charities such as SEM to promote equality of access for community groups to be involved in the arts and hence, views this working partnership with the YSP as the beginning to help facilitate this process.
Image Gallery: Jamia Masjid Ghousia Madrassa Students Yorkshire Sculpture Park Visit
Jamia Masjid Ghousia Madrassa students Visit Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Jamia Masjid Ghousia Madrassa students Visit Yorkshire Sculpture Park
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